Pakistan beat India in blind cricket

Pakistan's blind cricket team defeated a visiting Indian side by 71 runs in the first of the three Twenty 20 matches, in Lahore today.

Pakistan's blind cricket team defeated a visiting Indian side by 71 runs in the first of the three Twenty 20 matches, in Lahore on Friday.

The Indian side, led by Shekhar Naik Lachma, after opting to field first at the Bagh-e-Jinnah ground, was unable to chase the imposing target of 214 set by the Pakistani team.

The home side scored 201 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs, but its total was revised to 213 as the Indian team was penalised 12 runs for a slow over rate.

Pakistan's Muhammad Jamil emerged the top scorer with 89 runs.

India scored only 142 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Jamil, whose score of 89 included four fours, also snapped up two wickets to claim the Man-of-the-Match award.

Masood Jan (46) and Mohammad Zafar (16) were the other big scorers for the Pakistani side.

Indian skipper Lachma took three wickets while four Pakistani players were run out.

Parkash was the highest scorer for India with 75 runs.

Jamil described his knock as "a memorable innings".

"It was good to score the highest against India and to receive the man of the match award. The joy was doubled when we won the match. We put up a good total and then managed to restrict India to a low score. Beating India by such a margin reflects our collective team efforts and hard work," he said.

Punjab governor Latif Khosa visited the ground and met the players of both teams. He directed authorities to provide all facilities to the teams.

The Indian blind cricket team arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for its first tour of the country in five years.

The team will play three T20 matches in Lahore from November 18-20 and as many ODIs in Islamabad from 22-26.

Pakistani officials have said they expect the series to help in the restoration of full sporting ties between the two countries.